IPL franchise the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been keen to retain MS Dhoni since their 2024 campaign. But can CSK retain MS Dhoni? Current indications suggest that Dhoni could play another IPL season at Chennai if the franchise want him.
Ongoing speculation over the immediate future of Dhoni at CSK intensified when BCCI officials met IPL franchise owners in mid-2024. There were reports that the BCCI could reduce the number of retained players for each squad, limiting chances of a Dhoni IPL 2025 return.
However, recent announcements from the BCCI have set a new retention rule for franchises next season. The new rule could see MS Dhoni return to IPL action in CSK’s signature yellow kit.
How Can CSK Retain MS Dhoni in IPL 2025?
The Chennai-based franchise can add Dhoni to their squad as an ‘uncapped player’ based on recent BCCI rules for IPL 2025. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan spoke on potential retention of Dhoni next season but didn’t reveal much details on his potential feature in 2025:
“We are not sure at this stage. We might not even use it for MS Dhoni. It’s still too early to comment on this because we haven’t had discussions with him. Dhoni was in the US and we haven’t had discussions yet. Now I am travelling this week, so there is a possibility of some discussions in the coming week. So there could be some clarity then. We are hopeful of him playing but it’s a call Dhoni will himself make,” Mr. Viswanathan said.
Is Dhoni an Uncapped Player?
Dhoni is an uncapped player for CSK as things stand, since he hasn’t played for the national team since July 2019. An IPL statement defined who an uncapped player is ahead of the mega auction:
“A capped Indian player will become uncapped if the player has in the last five calendar years preceding the year in which the relevant Season is held, not played in the starting XI in International Cricket or does not have a Central Contract with BCCI. This will be applicable for Indian Players only,” the IPL statement read.
What is the Retainership Fee for Uncapped Players?
Reintroduction of the uncapped player rule does not trigger any chance in the retainership fee for uncapped players. Franchises will still have to pay ₹ 4 crores to retain any uncapped player they want from last season’s lineup.
Fresh Changes to the Right-to-Match Rule
New changes to the Right-to-Match (RTM) rule was necessary after repeat criticisms of this feature after its use at previous auctions. Franchises bidding for a player will now have a chance to improve their bid for a cricketer after making a serious offer. The holding franchise (cricketer’s current team) will need to choose between meeting the increased amount or letting the player go. The IPL governing council’s statement sheds more light on how the process will be at IPL 2025 mega auction:
“The highest bidder will be given one final opportunity to raise their bid for a player before the team holding the RTM card can exercise their right. For example, if Team 1 holds the RTM for Player X and Team 2 has placed the highest bid of INR 6 crore, then Team 1 will be first asked if they will exercise RTM,” the statement read.
“if Team 1 agrees, then Team 2 will have the chance to increase their bid. If Team 2 raises their bid to INR 9 crore, then Team 1 can use the RTM and acquire Player X for INR 9 crore. If Team 2 chooses not to raise the bid and keeps it at INR 6 crore, Team 1 can use the RTM and get Player X for INR 6 crore.”
Increase in the Total Salary Cap for IPL 2025
IPL cricketers are set to get more money in 2025 after the IPL governing council’s announcement. The salary cap now comprises of incremental performance payment, auction purse, and match fees.
IPL 2024’s salary cap only included incremental performance pay and auction purse funds and stood at ₹ 110 crore.
Six Players CSK May Retain Ahead of IPL 2025 Auction
The Super Kings are likely to retain services of their former captain MS Dhoni ahead of IPL 2025. CSK will rely on the uncapped player rule to get their star man back in their lineup ahead of next season’s campaign. The uncapped player rule has been out of use since 2008 and has been reintroduced after 16 seasons.
CSK will also seek to retain skilled players like death-overs speedster Matheesha Pathirana as they aim to challenge for a sixth IPL title. Spin master Shivam Dube will also be part of their retention plans for next season.
CSK will also seek to keep Ravindra Jadeja based on his performances and status as one of cricket’s best all-rounders right now. Other cricketers the franchise will seek to keep are Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra.
